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Makeover of Inner-city DC Row House is First Step in Campaign to Connect the Nation’s Individuals and Communities in More Efficient Use of Their Energy
WASHINGTON, DC - Wednesday, November 15, 10 a.m.- From the inner-city of our nation’s capital, to the small Midwestern suburbs, and coast-to-coast, families across the nation continue to struggle with ever-increasing energy bills. Even with heating costs lower than last year, average US households will still pay nearly $5,000 to power their homes and vehicles this year -- 32% greater than just two years ago. In fact, the Energy Information Administration estimates that consumers will spend an average of $902 on heating from October 2006 through March 2007.
But even as consumers feel the pain of these huge costs, all of that energy use – much of it wasteful - affects our families, our communities, our state, our country, and ultimately our world. The drafty attic of a new home in Michigan drains the same energy as cracks around the doorframe in a Washington, DC row house – But small steps to repair problems like these can make a big difference to everyone.
On Wednesday, November 15, the Alliance to Save Energy and its 29 Power Is in Your Hands partners, will launch the “6° of Energy Efficiency Challenge” by unveiling the energy-efficiency makeover of an old row house in the shadow of the nation’s Capitol.
The home’s makeover will be the first step in connecting the energy efficiency of families and communities across the U.S. through the 6° Challenge and its innovative, new website, www.sixdegreechallenge.org. The Web site will foster challenges among family and friends by leveraging the interconnectedness of individuals for the greater good and it will empower Americans to make simple changes to their homes and vehicles that can save them money. Details of media launch:
WHO:
- Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy
- Mark Pryor, U.S. Senator from Arkansas, and Chair of the Alliance
- Jon Wellinghoff, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Red Cavaney, President and CEO, American Petroleum Institute
- Peter Molinaro, VP for Federal Affairs, The Dow Chemical Company
- Roger Cooper, Executive VP for Policy and Planning, American Gas Assn.
- Mike Calkins, Manager of AAA Approved Auto Repair
WHEN: Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 10:00 AM
WHERE: 56 Channing Street NW
Washington, DC
(Directions below)
WHAT: News conference and TOUR of house to see energy-efficiency improvements
The Energy-Efficiency Home Makeover will demonstrate several steps consumers can take to save energy in their own homes and cut their energy bills. The steps shown at the makeover will range from small to large, and will include, but not be limited to:
- Air-Sealing the home to stop air leakage through hidden holes, gaps and cracks.
- New insulation for the home, which not only makes a home more efficient, but also enables a family to file for the new federal energy savings tax credit.
- Installation of a programmable thermostat to efficiently moderate climate control.
- Installation of several “winterizing” products like door sweeps and weather-stripping.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), energy-efficient alternatives with extreme long-life.
The DC row house has been in the Robinson/Fauntroy family for three generations and is currently occupied by the grandchildren of the original owner, and is owned by the children’s two aunts and uncle. The children lost their father, grandmother, and mother and moved three years ago from their family home to this home. They remain there as they are working to make their childhood home next-door livable once more. They are simultaneously paying utility bills for both homes and taxes on the family home. With winter coming, like so many American families, they face staggering energy bills, but these efficiency improvements will help ensure their bills will be lower.
CONTACT:
Ronnie Kweller
Alliance to Save Energy
(202) 857-0666
Juliet Johnson
Fleishman-Hillard
(202) 828-8820
DIRECTIONS: From Downtown DC:
- Travel north on North Capitol Street.
- Cross the intersection with Rhode Island Avenue – and travel approximately ½ mile
- Make a LEFT onto Channing Street –
- #56 is a few houses in, on the right-hand side.
Parking has been restricted on most of the block on the left side of the street. Cars can park on the right side or on the left, but should not park in front of #56 Channing or the houses on either side (#52 and #58). There are meters available on First Street, which intersects with Channing Street at the end of the block.
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